Entertainment device, display control method, program, and information storage medium

ABSTRACT

There are provided an entertainment device, a display control method, a program, and an information storage medium for enabling command information arranged on a screen to be less of a nuisance for the user than before. A voice receiving section (56) receives a voice. When the voice represents prescribed information, a command information arranging section (68) arranges command information at a position on a screen in accordance with display content of the screen, the command information being indicative of a command and causing execution of a process corresponding to the command upon receipt of the voice represented by the information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an entertainment device, a displaycontrol method, a program, and an information storage medium.

BACKGROUND ART

Technology exists which allows a voice input by a user to be receivedand which executes a process corresponding to the informationrepresented by the received voice. A typical device utilizing thetechnology displays command information such as a phrase representativeof a command when recognizing, by known voice recognition technology,that the received voice represents prescribed information such as whatis known as magic word. Upon receipt of the voice described by thecommand information, this type of device executes the processcorresponding to the command indicated by the command information.

SUMMARY Technical Problem

When the received voice represents the prescribed information,techniques known in the art are used to arrange the command informationto be displayed at a predetermined position on the screen regardless ofdisplay content of the screen. The command information thus arranged onthe screen can be a nuisance for the user if important information isdisplayed at the position where the command information is arranged.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.An object of the invention is to provide an entertainment device, adisplay control method, a program, and an information storage medium forenabling command information arranged on the screen to be less of anuisance for the user than before.

Solution to Problem

In solving the above problem and according to the present invention,there is provided an entertainment device including: a voice receivingsection configured to receive a voice; and a command informationarranging section configured such that when the voice representsprescribed information, the command information arranging sectionarranges command information at a position on a screen in accordancewith display content of the screen, the command information beingindicative of a command and causing execution of a process correspondingto the command upon receipt of the voice represented by the information.

According to the present invention, there is provided a display controlmethod including: a step of receiving a voice; and a step of, when thevoice represents prescribed information, arranging command informationat a position on a screen in accordance with display content of thescreen, the command information being indicative of a command andcausing execution of a process corresponding to the command upon receiptof the voice represented by the information.

According to the present invention, there is provided a program forcausing a computer to perform: a sequence of receiving a voice; and asequence of, when the voice represents prescribed information, arrangingcommand information at a position on a screen in accordance with displaycontent of the screen, the command information being indicative of acommand and causing execution of a process corresponding to the commandupon receipt of the voice represented by the information.

According to the present invention, there is provided acomputer-readable information storage medium which stores a program forcausing a computer to perform: a sequence of receiving a voice; and asequence of, when the voice represents prescribed information, arrangingcommand information at a position on a screen in accordance with displaycontent of the screen, the command information being indicative of acommand and causing execution of a process corresponding to the commandupon receipt of the voice represented by the information.

According to the present invention, there is provided anotherentertainment device including: a voice receiving section configured toreceive a voice; a voice command recognizing section configured torecognize a specific voice command from voice data acquired by the voicereceiving section; and a display controlling section configured suchthat when the specific voice command is recognized during display of afirst screen, the display controlling section causes display of a firstmenu including at least one voice command, and the display controllingsection further causing display of a second menu including at least onevoice command when the voice command is recognized during display of asecond screen.

Preferably, the entertainment device may further include a processexecuting section configured to execute the process corresponding to thecommand indicated by the command information when the voice received bythe voice receiving section represents the command information. Thecommand information arranging section may have control over whether ornot to arrange the command information in accordance with the displaycontent of the screen. Regardless of whether or not the commandinformation is arranged, the process executing section may execute theprocess corresponding to the command indicated by the commandinformation when the voice received by the voice receiving sectionrepresents the command information.

In the preceding preferred embodiment, the command information arrangingsection may have control over whether or not to arrange each of aplurality of pieces of the command information in accordance with thedisplay content of the screen. When the voice received by the voicereceiving section represents one of the pieces of the commandinformation, the process executing section may execute the processcorresponding to the command indicated by the piece of the commandinformation.

Preferably, one of the pieces of the command information may be thecommand information indicating the command for capturing the displaycontent of the screen.

Preferably, the command information arranging section may hide a screenarea of the display content varying in size depending on the displaycontent of the screen and arrange the command information in the area.

In the preceding preferred embodiment, when a game play screen isdisplayed, the command information arranging section may hide a screenarea of the display content smaller than when a screen for selecting thegame to play is displayed and arrange the command information in thearea.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a typical overall configuration ofan information processing system in one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a typical hardware structure of aninformation processing device in one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a typical controller in one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3B is a rear view of the controller shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a typical home screen.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another typical home screen.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another typical home screen.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing another typical home screen.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another typical home screen.

FIG. 9 is a tabular view listing typical program management data.

FIG. 10 is a tabular view listing typical command management data.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a typical play screen.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another typical play screen.

FIG. 13 is a tabular view listing other typical command management data.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing another typical home screen.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing another typical play screen.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing another typical play screen.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a typical power control screen.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing another typical power controlscreen.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing typical functionsimplemented by the information processing device in one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 20 is a tabular view schematically listing typical arrangementdetermination rule data.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a typical sequence of steps performed bythe information processing device in the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing another typical sequence of stepsperformed by the information processing device in the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

One preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a typical overall configuration ofan information processing system 10 in one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 10 inthis embodiment includes an information processing device 12, a displayunit 14, a camera/microphone unit 16, and a controller 18.

The information processing device 12 in this embodiment may be acomputer such as an entertainment device typified by a game console. Theinformation processing device 12 includes a control section 20, astorage section 22, a communication section 24, and an input/outputsection 26, as shown in FIG. 2 for example. The control section 20 is aprogram-controlled device such as a CPU operated by programs installedin the information processing device 12. The storage section 22 is astorage device such as a ROM or RAM or is a hard disk drive. The storagesection 22 stores resources such as the programs to be executed by thecontrol section 20. The communication section 24 is a communicationinterface such as a network board or a wireless LAN module. Theinput/output section 26 is an input/output port such as an HDMI(registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port or aUSB port.

The display unit 14 in this embodiment is a liquid crystal display, forexample. The display unit 14 displays, among others, screens generatedby the information processing device 12. The display unit 14 in thisembodiment also has speakers that output the sound represented by audiodata generated by the information processing device 12. Thecamera/microphone unit 16 in this embodiment includes cameras 16 a andmicrophones 16 b. The cameras 16 a capture an image of a target objectfor example, and output the captured image to the information processingdevice 12. The microphones 16 b acquire an ambient sound, convert thesound into audio data, and output the audio data to the informationprocessing device 12.

The information processing device 12 and the display unit 14 areinterconnected by an AV cable or by an HDMI cable, for example. Theinformation processing device 12 and the camera/microphone unit 16 areinterconnected by a USB cable, an AV cable, or an HDMI (registeredtrademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cable, for example.

The controller 18 in this embodiment is an operation input device forperforming input operations on the information processing device 12.FIG. 3A is a plan view of the controller 18 in this embodiment. FIG. 3Bis a rear view of the controller 18.

As shown in the figures, the controller 18 has grips GL and GRprotruding from the right and left ends of a horizontally elongated bodytoward the user (underside of the sheet of FIG. 3B). When using thecontroller 18, the user holds the grips GL and GR with his or her rightand left hands respectively.

Four arrow keys DK1 through DK4 and an operating stick SL are arrangedon the top left face of the controller 18 in a manner operable by thethumb of the user's left hand holding the grip GL. Four buttons B1through B4 and an operating stick SR are arranged on the top right faceof the controller 18 in a manner operable by the thumb of the user'sright hand holding the grip GR. Buttons BL1 and BL2 are arranged on therear left side of the controller 18 in a manner operable by the indexand middle fingers of the user's left hand holding the grip GL. Rearbuttons BR1 and BR2 are arranged on the rear right side of thecontroller 18 in a manner operable by the index and middle fingers ofthe user's right hand holding the grip GR. The controller 18 in thisembodiment also has other controls such as buttons and a touch sensor.The controller 18 in this embodiment further has sensors including agyro sensor for detecting angular velocity and an acceleration sensorfor detecting acceleration.

The controller 18 in this embodiment has a jack J. Plugging a microphoneinto the jack J allows the microphone to receive an input voice. Thecontroller 18 converts the voice input through the plugged-in microphoneinto audio data for output to the information processing device 12.

This embodiment allows the user to input a voice into the microphones 16b included in the camera/microphone unit 16. The information processingdevice 12 recognizes the input voice and performs various processescorresponding to the result of voice recognition. The embodiment thusenables the user to operate the information processing device 12 byvoice. While the microphone is being plugged in the jack J of thecontroller 18, this embodiment gives preference to the result of voicerecognition by the plugged-in microphone over the result of voicerecognition by the microphones 16 b included in the camera/microphoneunit 16.

The user can perform various input operations using the controller 18,such as pressing of the arrow keys DK1 through DK4, buttons B1 throughB4, BL1, BL2, BR1 and BR2, or tilting of the operating sticks SL and SR.The controller 18 in this embodiment outputs the input datacorresponding to such input operations to the information processingdevice 12.

The controller 18 in this embodiment has a USB port. The controller 18is connect to the information processing device 12 by a USB cable.Therefore, the connection allows the input data to be output in wiredfashion to the information processing device 12 via the input/outputsection 26. The controller 18 in this embodiment also has a wirelesscommunication module for example. The module allows the input data to beoutput in wireless fashion to the information processing device 12 viathe communication section 24.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a home screen 30displayed on the display unit 14 in this embodiment. The home screen 30in this embodiment allows the user to select one of the programsinstalled in the information processing device 12. This embodiment isassumed to have eight game programs, for example, installed in theinformation processing device 12.

In the initial state, the home screen 30 shows program icon images 32 asshown in FIG. 4 (program icon images 32-1 through 32-5 in the example ofFIG. 4), each icon image corresponding to a program. The home screen 30in FIG. 4 shows the program icon images 32 of five programs out of theeight programs installed in the information processing device 12. Thehome screen 30 also indicates that one of the program icon images 32(program icon image 32-1 in the example of FIG. 4) is in the selectedstate. With this embodiment, the currently selected program icon image32-1 is displayed in a manner different from the other program iconimages 32. In the ensuing description, the currently selected optionwill be referred to as the option of interest. In the above example, theprogram icon image 32-1 is the option of interest.

As shown in FIG. 4, this embodiment shows a character stringrepresenting the name of the program corresponding to the program iconimage 32-1 in the bottom right corner of the program icon image 32-1constituting the option of interest. As the option of interest, theprogram icon image 32-1 is highlighted in contrast with the otherprogram icon images 32 (32-2 through 32-5). As a specific example, theprogram icon image 32-1 is larger in size than the other program iconimages 32 (32-2 through 32-5). The program icon image 32-1 is furthershown enclosed in a frame. With this embodiment, these characteristicsindicate that the program icon image 32-1 is currently selected, i.e.,that the program icon image 32-1 is the option of interest. Apart fromthe technique presented in FIG. 4, other techniques may also be adoptedto display a given program icon image 32 as the option of interest.

Suppose now that a predetermined period of time (e.g., 10 seconds) haselapsed after the home screen 30 in FIG. 4 is displayed. The home screen30 displayed on the display unit 14 then transitions to a state shown inFIG. 5. The home screen 30 alternates between the state in FIG. 5 andanother state shown in FIG. 6 at intervals of a predetermined timeperiod (e.g., three seconds). In the state in FIG. 5, the home screen 30shows a controller operation guide image 34 for guiding the operationcontent by use of the controller 18. In the state in FIG. 6, on theother hand, the home screen 30 shows a magic word guide image 36 givingprescribed information representative of a voice for starting voicerecognition. FIG. 6 shows a phrase “START VOICE RECOGNITION” as anexample of the prescribed information. In the ensuing description, theprescribed phrase representative of a voice for starting voicerecognition will be referred to as the magic word.

As described above, upon elapse of the predetermined time period afterthe display of the home screen 30, this embodiment guides the user boththrough how to operate the controller 18 and through what kind of voicethe user is to input. If the user is not ready to input a voice, thehome screen 30 does not transition to the state in which the magic wordguide image 36 is displayed on the screen in this embodiment. Forexample, if the camera/microphone unit 16 is not connected to theinformation processing device 12, with the microphone yet to be pluggedinto the jack J of the controller 18, the home screen 30 does nottransition to the state in which the magic word guide image 36 isarranged on the screen.

When the home screen 30 is in the state in FIG. 4, 5 or 6 and when theinformation processing device 12 receives the voice representing themagic word, the home screen 30 transitions to a state shown in FIG. 7.Also, with the home screen 30 in the state in FIG. 4, 5 or 6, operationsperformed on specific controls such as pressing of the button BR2 causethe home screen 30 to transition to the state in FIG. 7 in thisembodiment. In the state in FIG. 7, a voice input guide image 38 forguiding the user through what kind of voice the user is to input isarranged on the home screen 30.

With the voice input guide image 38 arranged on the home screen 30, thisembodiment allows the user to input a voice. The input voice causes theinformation processing device 12 to recognize the information given bythe voice and determine a command represented by the voice on the basisof the result of recognition. The information processing device 12proceeds to execute the process corresponding to the command. In theensuing description, the state in which the voice input guide image 38is displayed on the screen to enable command input by voice will bereferred to as the voice command input enabled state. The state in whichthe voice input guide image 38 is not displayed on the screen thusdisabling command input by voice will be referred to as the voicecommand input disabled state. This embodiment allows the informationprocessing device 12 to be placed in the voice command input enabledstate either by operation of the controller 18 or by voice input of themagic word as described above. While the information processing device12 remains in the voice command input enabled state, the volume of thesound output from the speakers may be controlled to be low.

Upon elapse of a predetermined time period (e.g., 10 seconds) duringwhich neither operation of the controller 18 nor voice input takes placeafter the voice command input enabled state is entered, this embodimentplaces the information processing device 12 in the voice command inputdisabled state. Following transition to the voice command input enabledstate, operating the controller 18 also places the informationprocessing device 12 in the voice command input disabled state. If theinformation processing device 12 is placed in the voice command inputdisabled state while the display unit 14 is displaying the home screen30 shown in FIG. 7, the home screen 30 returns to the screen shown inFIG. 4.

In the voice command input enabled state, the command corresponding tothe received voice is identified provided the volume of the receivedvoice falls within a predetermined range of volume. It is assumedhereunder that the command corresponding to the received voice isidentified provided the volume of the received voice is equal to orhigher than a lower volume limit L and equal to or lower than a highervolume limit H. Alternatively, the average of the volumes of the voicesreceived over a predetermined time period up to the present may behandled as the volume of the currently received voice. A volume image 40representing the volume of the voice currently received by theinformation processing device 12 is arranged in the voice input guideimage 38 in FIG. 7. The volume image 40 is displayed on the display unit14 in a manner reflecting the volume of the currently received voice forexample. Specifically, while no voice is being received, the volumeimage 40 is shown enclosed in a blue frame against a black backgroundfor example. Upon receipt of a voice, the background is turned blue. Inthis case, the higher the volume of the received voice, the deeper theblue the background of the volume image 40 may be turned.

If the volume of the received voice is higher than the higher volumelimit H, this embodiment does not identify any command corresponding tothe received voice. The volume image 40 is then shown in a mannerindicating that no command is being identified. Specifically, if thevolume of the received voice is higher than the higher volume limit H,the volume image 40 is shown enclosed in a red frame against a redbackground for example. The information processing device 12 in thisembodiment thus causes the volume image 40 to be displayed on thedisplay unit 14 in a manner reflecting the volume of the received voice.This display prompts the user to input the command by voice with anappropriate volume. In the ensuing description, it is assumed that theuser performs voice input within a predetermined volume range, e.g.,equal to or higher than the lower volume limit L and equal to or lowerthan the higher volume limit H.

This embodiment shows the voice input guide image 38 in FIG. 7 to haveat least one piece of command information CI indicative of a commandarranged therein. This embodiment has phrases each arranged as thecommand information CI representing a command. Alternatively, thephrases as the command information CI may be replaced with otherinformation such as icon images symbolizing the commands.

The command information CI is associated with the commands that can bereceived by the information processing device 12. When the user inputs avoice represented by command information CI, this embodiment executesthe process corresponding to the command associated with the commandinformation CI.

Four pieces of command information CI are arranged on the home screen 30in FIG. 7. This embodiment has a command identification picture CIParranged on the left of each piece of command information CI on the homescreen 30. Each command identification picture CIP allows the user torecognize that inputting the voice represented by the commandinformation CI to the right of the picture CIP executes the processcorresponding to the command associated with the command information CI.

This embodiment also assigns the controls such as the buttons of thecontroller 18 to the commands represented by the command information CI.Pressing a given button executes the process corresponding to thecommand assigned to that button. This embodiment thus allows the processcorresponding to each command represented by the command information CIto be executed either by operation of the controls or by voice input.

With this embodiment, each displayed program icon image 32 is assignedat least one piece of information such as the name, abbreviated name, ornickname of the program associated with the program icon image 32. Whenthe user inputs a voice representing the name of a program for example,this embodiment identifies the program icon image 32 associated with theprogram as the option of interest. If the input voice represents thenames of a plurality of programs, the program icon image 32 associatedwith one of the programs is identified as the option of interest. If theinformation processing device 12 receives a voice phoneticallyrepresenting a phrase “Dragon Game” while the home screen 30 in FIG. 7is being displayed, this embodiment switches the home screen 30 to astate shown in FIG. 8. Six program icon images 32 (32-3 through 32-8)are arranged on the home screen 30 shown in FIG. 8. If the program iconimage 32-4 is identified as the option of interest, the program iconimage 32-4 is highlighted on the home screen 30, as shown in FIG. 8.

If the input voice represents the names or other designations of aplurality of programs, this embodiment identifies as the alternativeoption one of the program icon images 32 corresponding to these programswith the exception of the program icon image 32 constituting the optionof interest. The embodiment then arranges on the voice input guide image38 the name of the program associated with the alternative option. Inthe example in FIG. 8, the voice input guide image 38 is shownindicating alternative option information AI indicating the name of theprogram associated with the program icon image 32-7. In the example inFIG. 8, a name “Dragon Game 2” is included in the alternative optioninformation AI.

This embodiment identifies the option of interest and the alternativeoption on the basis of program management data shown in FIG. 9 andcommand management data shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 9, the program management data includes program IDs,program name data, vendor name data, voice command data, and last playdate and time data, for example. The program ID is identificationinformation that identifies each program. The program name dataindicates the name of the program. The vendor name data denotes the nameof the vendor that offers the program. The voice command data isinformation indicative of the command for identifying the program iconimage 32 corresponding to the program as the option of interest or asthe alternative option. This embodiment allows at least one voicecommand data value to be set for each program to indicate the name,abbreviated name, nickname, or some other designation of each program.FIG. 9 lists typical program management data in which three values ofvoice command data are set: a first voice command data value, a secondvoice command data value, and a third voice command data value. Thisembodiment sets character strings as the voice command data values, eachcharacter string representing a voice to be received. The last play dateand time data indicates the date and time at which the program was lastplayed.

This embodiment sets a character string representative of the name of agiven program as one of the voice command data values associated withthat program. In the example in FIG. 9, the program named “Dragon Game3” and the program named “Dragon Game 2” are shown set with characterstrings representing their respective names as the third voice commanddata value.

On the basis of the program management data given in FIG. 9, thisembodiment generates the command management data listed in FIG. 10. Thecommand management data is used to manage the relations between eachreceived voice and the process to be executed in response to receipt ofthe voice. As shown in FIG. 10, the command management data includesvoice command data representative of each received voice and processcontent data indicative of the process to be executed in response toreceipt of the voice. FIG. 10 lists character strings each representinga received voice as a voice command data value.

This embodiment sets, in the program management data, the first, thesecond, and the third voice command data values as the voice commanddata values in the command management data. In this manner, theembodiment sets three voice command data values associated with eachprogram in the command management data. In the command management data,the data representing two processes prioritized for each program is setas process content data values associated with the three voice commanddata values corresponding to the program. In the example in FIG. 10, afirst priority process is set that identifies as the option of interestthe program icon image 32 associated with a given program, and a secondpriority process is set that identifies the program icon image 32 as thealternative option.

In the command management data, this embodiment also sets as a voicecommand data value a character string representing the voice indicatedby the command information CI arranged on the screen. As a value of theprocess content data associated with given voice command data in thecommand management data, a data value is set that represents the processto be executed upon receipt of the voice described by the voice commanddata.

This embodiment then executes the process represented by the processcontent data associated, in the command management data, with the voicecommand data indicative of the received voice.

For example, suppose that with the home screen 30 in FIG. 8 displayed onthe display unit 14, the information processing device 12 receives avoice phonetically representing the phrase “START.” The receipt of thevoice initiates execution of the program associated with the programicon image 32-4 as the option of interest. When the informationprocessing device 12 receives a voice phonetically representing thephrase “POWER,” a power control screen 44 (see FIG. 17) is displayed onthe display unit 14. When the information processing device 12 receivesa voice phonetically representing the phrase “TAKE SCREEN SHOT,” acapture image capturing the display content on the home screen 30 as astill image is stored into the storage section 22 of the informationprocessing device 12. When the information processing device 12 receivesa voice phonetically representing the phrase “LOG IN,” a screen showinga list of users is displayed on the display unit 14. The user then logsin through the screen by vocally inputting the user's identifierregistered in the information processing device 12.

As shown in FIG. 10, this embodiment may associate each of a pluralityof voice command data values representing the same character string witha mutually different process in the command management data. Such voicecommand data values set in duplicate may be referred to as duplicativevoice command data. For example, a voice command data value “DRAGONGAME” and another voice command data value “DG” listed in FIG. 10constitute duplicative voice command data.

Where a received voice turns out to be duplicative voice command data inwhich voice command data values are set in duplicate, the programsinvolved are prioritized according to predetermined rules.

In prioritizing the programs, this embodiment first identifies theprocess associated with each of the voice command data values set induplicate. The embodiment then identifies the programs corresponding tothe program icon image 32 identified as the option of interest or as thealternative option regarding the process involved. For example, if thereceived voice phonetically represents “DRAGON GAME,” the embodimentidentifies the program named Dragon Game 3 and the program named DragonGame 2. Of the programs thus identified, the program executed at thelatest timing is determined as the first priority program, and theprogram executed at the second latest timing is determined as the secondpriority program. For example, this embodiment causes the program ofwhich the last play date and time data is the latest in the programmanagement data to be determined as the first priority program, and theprogram whose last play date and time data is the second latest to bedetermined as the second priority program. This is how this embodimentprioritizes the programs. However, the method of determining programpriorities is not limited to what was discussed above.

This embodiment then executes the process that corresponds to the firstpriority program and is set as the first priority process in the processcontent data, followed by the process corresponding to the secondpriority program and set as the second priority process in the processcontent data. A process is executed at this time, for example, toidentify the program icon image 32 corresponding to the first priorityprogram as the option of interest, and identify the program icon image32 corresponding to the second priority program as the alternativeoption. This embodiment executes the processes corresponding to theprograms executed at the last and the second last timings, but does notexecute processes corresponding to the programs executed at the thirdlast timing or at subsequent timings.

For example, if the received voice phonetically represents “DRAGON GAME”or “DG,” the program icon image 32-4 is identified as the option ofinterest and the program icon image 32-7 as the alternative optionaccording to the above-mentioned rules. On the basis of the option ofinterest and the alternative option thus identified, this embodimentgenerates the home screen 30 shown in FIG. 8 and displays it on thedisplay unit 14.

Suppose that while the home screen 30 in FIG. 8 is being displayed, thevoice phonetically representing “Dragon Game 2” arranged as thealternative option information AI on the home screen 30 is received.This triggers identification of the voice command data of which onevalue “DRAGON GAME TWO” is found in the command management data in FIG.10. This in turn executes a process of identifying as the option ofinterest the program icon image 32-7 that corresponds to Dragon Game 2and is associated with the identified voice command data as the firstpriority process in the command management data. The home screen 30 isthen displayed on which the program icon image 32-7 identified as theoption of interest is highlighted.

The user may wish to execute, for example, the program corresponding tothe alternative option rather than the program corresponding to theoption of interest. Specifically, the user may prefer playing the gamenamed “Dragon Game 2” to playing the game named “Dragon Game 3.” Inpreparation for such an eventuality, this embodiment displaysinformation indicating that the option of interest is being selected,and the alternative option information AI as information representingthe voice for allowing the alternative option to be identified as theoption of interest in response to receipt of the voice. When the userinputs the voice described by the alternative option information AI, thealternative option is identified as the option of interest. This bringsabout a state in which the program icon image 32 newly identified as theoption of interest is selected. In this manner, the embodiment guidesthe user through what kind of voice to input in order to identify thealternative option as the option of interest.

Alternatively, the embodiment may arrange, as the above-mentionedalternative option information AI, the information indicative of thevoice corresponding to one of a plurality of voice command data valuesassociated with the alternative option. In this case, the embodiment mayarrange as the alternative option information AI the informationrepresentative of the voice corresponding to a value different from thatof the voice command data associated with the option of interest. Thisprevents the current option of interest from getting selected again asthe option of interest when the user inputs the voice described by thealternative option information AI.

As another alternative, the option corresponding to the recentlyexecuted program may be identified as the option of interest or as thealternative option. Specifically, as mentioned above, the optioncorresponding to the program executed at the latest timing from among aplurality of options corresponding to a plurality of programs may beidentified as the option of interest, for example. Also, the optioncorresponding to the program executed at the second latest timing may beidentified as the alternative option. In this manner, the more recentlythe program is executed, the more preferentially the program may beselected as the option of interest or as the alternative option.Generally, the user tends to again execute recently executed programs.According to the above method, the option corresponding to the user'spreferred programs is more likely to be identified as the option ofinterest or as the alternative option.

As still another alternative, the option of interest and the alternativeoption may be identified on the basis of the attribute values associatedwith the programs except for their latest execution timings. In thiscase, for example, the option identified as having the highest prioritymay be identified as the option of interest and the option identified ashaving the second highest priority may be identified as the alternativeoption on the basis of the attributes associated with the programs.Where there are a plurality of options associated with the voice commanddata representing the received voice, one of the options is thusdetermined as the option of interest and another as the alternativeoption in accordance with the attribute values associated with theoptions.

As still another alternative, the option of interest and the alternativeoption may be identified on the basis of the attribute values that canbe set by the user or by the vendor of the programs. In this case, wherethere exist a plurality of options associated with the voice commanddata representing the received voice, it is the user or the vendor ofthe programs that has control over how to identify one of the options asthe option of interest and another as the alternative option.

It was explained above that one of the options associated with theinformation representing the received voice is identified as thealternative option. Alternatively, an option associated with the optionof interest may be identified as the alternative option, for example.Specifically, an option determined as an option recommended to the userin connection with the option of interest identified may be identifiedas the alternative option, for example. If there are, for example, aplurality of options recommended to the user, one of the plurality ofoptions may be identified as the alternative option on the basis of suchattribute values as the date and time at which the program associatedwith the options was last executed, for example. As another example, anoption corresponding to any of the programs of which the vendor alsooffers the program corresponding to the option of interest may beidentified as the alternative option. This guides the user through whatkind of voice to input when identifying as the option of interest anoption associated with the option of interest.

As still another alternative, the value of the voice command datarepresenting the voice associated with the options corresponding to theprogram may be information that is set by the vendor of the programassociated with these options. This allows the vendor of a given programto set as a voice command data value the abbreviated name or some otherdesignation of the program which is popular among its users, so that theprogram is more likely to be selected as the option of interest or asthe alternative option.

While the home screen 30 in FIG. 8 is being displayed, the informationprocessing device 12 may receive the voice phonetically representing thephrase “START.” The receipt of the voice starts execution of the programcorresponding to the program icon image 32-4 in the selected state. Thisembodiment starts executing the game program named “Dragon Game 3.” Atthis time, the value of the last play date and time data correspondingto the program is updated to the present date and time.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a typical play screen 42 that isgenerated upon execution of the game program and displayed on thedisplay unit 14. As long as the play screen 42 in FIG. 11 is beingdisplayed, the information processing device 12 is in the voice commandinput disabled state. Upon receiving the magic word at this point forexample, the information processing device 12 transitions to the voicecommand input enabled state. The play screen 42 then switches to a stateshown in FIG. 12 where the voice input guide image 38 is arranged.Command information CI indicating the command for returning to the homescreen 30 is arranged in the voice input guide image 38 in FIG. 12. Acommand identification picture CIP is arranged on the left of thecommand information CI.

FIG. 13 is a tabular view listing other typical command management datain effect when the play screen 42 in FIG. 12 is displayed. With the playscreen 42 in FIG. 12 displayed, the process to be executed on the basisof the command management data listed in FIG. 13 is determined.

While the play screen 42 in FIG. 12 is being displayed, the informationprocessing device 12 may receive the voice phonetically representing thephrase “HOME SCREEN.” The receipt of the voice causes the screendisplayed to switch to the home screen 30 shown in FIG. 14. The voiceinput guide image 38 arranged on the home screen 30 in FIG. 14 isbasically the same as that in FIG. 7. The difference is that the voiceinput guide image 38 in FIG. 14 is supplemented with command informationCI indicating the command for returning to the play screen 42, thecommand being represented by the phrase “RETURN TO GAME.” If theinformation processing device 12 receives at this point the voicephonetically representing the phrase “RETURN TO GAME,” the home screen30 displayed on the display unit 14 transitions to the play screen 42.The processes corresponding to the other commands executable when thehome screen 30 in FIG. 14 is displayed may also be executed by voiceinput in the same manner as when the home screen 30 in FIG. 7 isdisplayed.

While the play screen 42 in FIG. 12 is being displayed, the informationprocessing device 12 may receive the voice phonetically representing thephrase “TAKE SCREEN SHOT.” The receipt of the voice causes the storagesection 22 of the information processing device 12 to store a captureimage capturing the display content on the play screen 42. With thecapture image stored in the storage section 22, there appears for apredetermined time period a play screen 42 on which a capture completepicture CCP indicative of image storage is arranged in the top rightcorner, as shown in FIG. 15. The information processing device 12transitions to the voice command input disabled state. When theinformation processing device 12 receives the voice phoneticallyrepresenting the phrase “LOG IN,” the display unit 14 displays a screenshowing a list of users. These processes are set in the commandmanagement data listed in FIG. 13. Thus according to this embodiment,some of the processes corresponding to the commands whose correspondingcommand information CI is not displayed can be executed by voice input.

For example, suppose that, on the play screen 42, the commandinformation CI is arranged at the same positions as those on the homescreen 30 in FIG. 7 or FIG. 14. Where objects for the player and otherresources are arranged at the bottom of the play screen 42 as shown inFIG. 11 for example, such arrangement can be a nuisance for the userplaying the game. As explained above, this embodiment causes theinformation processing device 12 to arrange the command information CIat a suitable position on the screen depending on its display content.Specifically, the voice input guide image 38 is arranged at the bottomof the home screen 30 but is in the top right corner on the play screen42 for example. In this manner, this embodiment reduces the risk ofletting the command information CI arranged on the screen become anuisance for the user playing the game.

The information processing device 12 in this embodiment causes the voiceinput guide image 38 to hide a screen area of the display content thatvaries depending on the display content of the screen. Specifically,while the game play screen 42 is being displayed, the commandinformation CI is arranged over a smaller screen area than when the homescreen 30 for selecting the game to play is displayed so as to hide thedisplay content for example. In this manner, the embodiment makes thecommand information CI easier for the user to view while reducing therisk of letting the command information CI arranged on the screen becomea nuisance for the user.

The information processing device 12 in this embodiment has control overwhether or not to arrange the command information CI corresponding to aspecific command depending on the display content of the screen.Specifically, the command information CI indicating the command forstoring a capture image capturing the display content of the screen isarranged on the home screen 30 in FIG. 7 or in FIG. 14 but not on theplay screen 42 in FIG. 12 for example. However, with the play screen 42in FIG. 12 displayed, the information processing device 12 may receivethe voice phonetically representing the phrase “TAKE SCREEN SHOT.” Inthat case, the information processing device 12 performs the process ofstoring the capture image capturing the display content on the playscreen 42. As described above, where the area in which the commandinformation CI is arranged should preferably be as small as possible forexample, it is possible not to display the command information CIregarding some of the commands that can be received through voice input.When the area in which the command information CI appears is thusminimized in size, the risk of letting the command information CIdisplayed on the screen become a nuisance for the user can be furtherreduced.

As another alternative, the information processing device 12 may havecontrol over whether or not to arrange each of a plurality of pieces ofcommand information CI depending on the display content of the screen.For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the command information CI indicatingthe command for storing a capture image capturing the display content ofthe screen may be arranged on the screen instead of the commandinformation CI indicating the command for returning to the home screen30 depending on the display content of the screen. The example in FIG.16 shows a scene in which a dragon is dispatched during a game. The useris highly likely to save a capture image of that scene. Such scenes maythus be accompanied by the command information CI arranged to indicatethe command for storing a capture image capturing the display content ofthe screen.

If the information processing device 12 receives the voice phoneticallyrepresenting the phrase “TAKE SCREEN SHOT” while the play screen 42 inFIG. 16 is being displayed, a capture image capturing the displaycontent of the play screen 42 may be stored into the storage section 22.When the information processing device 12 receives the voicephonetically representing the phrase “HOME SCREEN,” the currentlydisplayed screen may be replaced with the home screen 30 in FIG. 14.

As described above, this embodiment causes the display unit 14 todisplay the power control screen 44 shown in FIG. 17 if the informationprocessing device 12 receives the voice phonetically representing thephrase “POWER” while the home screen 30 in FIG. 7, 8 or 14 is beingdisplayed. With the power control screen 44 in FIG. 17 displayed, theinformation processing device 12 still remains in the voice commandinput enabled state.

The power control screen 44 shown in FIG. 17 has four pieces of commandinformation CI arranged in the voice input guide image 38. A commandidentification picture CIP is arranged on the left of each of thesepieces of command information CI. In addition to the command informationCI in the voice input guide image 38, the power control screen 44includes command information CI corresponding to a command for loggingout, a command for selecting standby mode, and a command for turning offpower. A command identification picture CIP is arranged on the left ofthe command information CI corresponding to the command for selectingstandby mode as well as on the left of the command information CIcorresponding to the command for turning off power.

Upon receipt of the voice phonetically representing the phrase “SELECTSTANDBY MODE,” the information processing device 12 selects standbymode. At the time of receiving the voice phonetically representing thephrase “TURN OFF POWER,” the information processing device 12 turns offits power. This embodiment thus allows the information processing device12 to be switched off by voice input.

This embodiment does not allow the process of logging out to be executedby voice input. The unavailability of voice input will be recognized bythe user who will notice that no command identification picture CIP isarranged on the left of the command information CI indicating thecommand for logging out.

If the controller 18 is operated while the power control screen 44 inFIG. 17 is being displayed, the information processing device 12 entersthe voice command input disabled state. The currently displayed powercontrol screen 44 transitions to a state shown in FIG. 18. The powercontrol screen 44 in FIG. 18 has no voice input guide image 38 arrangedthereon. Also deleted are the command information CI corresponding tothe command for selecting standby mode and the command identificationpicture CIP arranged on the left of the command information CIcorresponding to the command for turning off power. The commandinformation CI indicating the command for logging out and arranged atthe top of the screen is enclosed in a frame indicating the selectedstate currently in effect. In this state, the user may operate thecontroller 18 to select one of the commands corresponding to the threepieces of command information CI shown in FIG. 18, the designatedcommand designating the process to be executed. Performing a prescribedoperation, such as pressing of the button B1, executes the processcorresponding to the command corresponding to the command information CIin the selected state.

In the above-described example, the capture image capturing the displaycontent through voice input is stored as a still image into the storagesection 22. Alternatively, a video captured by the informationprocessing device 12 of the display content through voice input may bestored instead. Specifically, upon receiving the voice phoneticallyrepresenting the phrase “START RECORDING,” the information processingdevice 12 may start capturing the screen. Upon receipt of the voicephonetically representing the phrase “STOP RECORDING,” the informationprocessing device 12 may stop capturing the screen. The informationprocessing device 12 may then store into its storage section 22 a videoconstituted by a series of images captured from the start to the end ofcapturing as a capturing movie.

This embodiment allows the information processing device 12 to set oneof a plurality of predetermined languages as the system language.However, some of these languages are not supported by the embodiment forvoice recognition. If an attempt is made to select one of theunsupported languages as the system language, this embodiment causes thedisplay unit 14 to display a message that the selected language is notsupported for voice recognition. In this case, an alternative languagesuch as English is set for voice recognition, replacing the unsupportedlanguage. Pieces of command information CI representing the commandsreceivable through voice input are then displayed in the language setfor voice recognition.

Below is a further description of control over where to arrange thecommand information CI and of the process of identifying the option ofinterest and the alternative option.

FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram showing typical functionsimplemented by the information processing device 12 in this embodiment,the functions concerning control over where to arrange the commandinformation CI and the process of identifying the option of interest andthe alternative option. Not all of the functions in FIG. 19, it shouldbe noted, need to be implemented by the information processing device 12in this embodiment. Also, functions other than those shown in FIG. 19may be added to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, the information processing device 12 in thisembodiment functionally includes, for example, a program management datastoring section 50, a command management data storing section 52, anoperation receiving section 54, a voice receiving section 56, a voicecommand identifying section 58, an option identifying section 60, acommand identifying section 62, a process executing section 64, anarrangement determination rule data storing section 66, a commandinformation arranging section 68, a screen generating section 70, acommand managing section 72, and a display controlling section 74. Theprogram management data storing section 50, command management datastoring section 52, and arrangement determination rule data storingsection 66 are provided primarily in the storage section 22. The voicereceiving section 56 is provided mainly in the input/output section 26.The operation receiving section 54 is provided mainly in thecommunication section 24 or in the input/output section 26. The displaycontrolling section 74 is provided mainly in the input/output section26. The other functions are provided mainly in the control section 20.

The above functions are implemented by the control section 20 executinga program that includes the commands corresponding to these functionsand is installed in the information processing device 12 as a computer.This program is offered to the information processing device 12 by meansof a computer-readable information storage medium such as an opticaldisk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk or aflash memory, or via communication means such as the Internet.

The program management data storing section 50 stores the programmanagement data shown in FIG. 9 for example.

The command management data storing section 52 stores the commandmanagement data shown in FIGS. 10 and 13 for example. The commandmanaging section 72, to be discussed later, updates the commandmanagement data according to the display content of the screen in amanner reflecting the executed processes as well as the display contentof the screen. For example, when the home screen 30 is displayed, thecommand management data storing section 52 stores the command managementdata shown in FIG. 10 for example. When the play screen 42 is displayed,on the other hand, the command management data storing section 52 storesthe command management data shown in FIG. 13 for example.

The operation receiving section 54 receives the operations performed onthe controller 18. This embodiment causes the operation receivingsection 54 to receive signals from the operations of the buttons beingpressed, for example.

The voice receiving section 56 receives voices. For example, thisembodiment causes the voice receiving section 56 to receive the voicesinput by the user through the microphones 16 b.

The voice command identifying section 58 identifies the voice commanddata represented by the voice received by the voice receiving section 56in the command management data. In identifying voice command data on thebasis of the voice received by the voice receiving section 56, the voicecommand identifying section 58 in this embodiment identifies theinformation represented by the received voice using known voicerecognition processing techniques. For example, at the time of receivinga voice whose volume falls within a predetermined volume range, e.g.,between the lower volume limit L and the upper volume limit H mentionedabove, the voice command identifying section 58 in this embodimentidentifies that point in time as the start timing for voice commandidentification. At the time of receiving for a predetermined time perioda voice whose volume is lower than the lower volume limit L, the voicecommand identifying section 58 identifies that point in time as the endtiming for voice command identification. The voice command identifyingsection 58 proceeds to identify the voice command data whose valueexactly matches the recognition result of the voice received between thestart timing and the end timing of voice command identification.Alternatively, the voice command identifying section 58 may identify thevoice command data whose value matches either partially or exactly therecognition result of the voice. As a further alternative, the voicecommand identifying section 58 may start narrowing down the voicecommand data candidates for identification when command identificationis started. The voice command identifying section 58 may then determinethe identified voice command data when command identification is ended.If the volume of the received voice is higher than the upper volumelimit H, the voice command data is not identified. The voice commanddata may be expressed by a phoneme sequence. The voice commandidentifying section 58 may decompose the voice received by the voicereceiving section 56 into phonemes to identify the voice command datarepresented by the phonemes sequence corresponding to the voice. Also,the voice command identifying section 58 in this embodiment acts as avoice command recognizing section that recognizes a specific voicecommand, such as the magic word in this case, from the voice dataacquired by the voice receiving section 56.

As described above, the voice command identifying section 58 mayidentify voice command data values that are set in duplicate.

In response to receipt of a voice by the voice receiving section 56, theoption identifying section 60 identifies the option of interest and thealternative option from a plurality of options, e.g., from a pluralityof program icon images 32 in this embodiment. When the voice commandidentifying section 58 has identified a plurality of voice command datavalues, the option identifying section 60 identifies the option ofinterest and the alternative option from the program icon images 32associated with these voice command data values as mentioned above.Here, the option identifying section 60 may identify the option ofinterest and the alternative option on the basis of the attribute valuesassociated with the options, e.g., on the basis of the timings at whichthe programs corresponding to the options were executed. As anotheralternative, the option identifying section 60 may identify as thealternative option an option associated with the option of interest as arecommendation to the user.

The command identifying section 62 identifies the command correspondingto the process to be executed on the basis of the voice received by thevoice receiving section 56 or the operation received by the operationreceiving section 54. The commands in this context are not limited tothose corresponding to the command information CI. The commands may alsoinclude, among others, a command for changing the information processingdevice 12 from the voice command input disabled state to the voicecommand input enabled state.

The process executing section 64 executes various processes such asthose corresponding to the commands identified by the commandidentifying section 62. For example, where the voice received by thevoice receiving section 56 represents given command information CI, theprocessing executing section 64 executes the process corresponding tothe command described by the command information. Alternatively, theprocess executing section 64 may execute processes reflecting the statusof ongoing program execution.

The arrangement determination rule data storing section 66 storesarrangement determination rule data for determining the positions,sizes, and content of the command information CI arranged on the screen.FIG. 20 is a tabular view schematically listing typical arrangementdetermination rule data. In the arrangement determination rule data inFIG. 20, the display content of the screen is associated with theposition and size of each voice input guide image 38 arranged on thescreen and the content of the command information IC arranged in thatvoice input guide image 38.

The command information arranging section 68 arranges the commandinformation CI at that position on the screen which corresponds to thedisplay content of the screen. For example, the command informationarranging section 68 in this embodiment determines the arrangement ofthe voice input guide image 38 in which the command information CI isarranged, on the basis of the display content of the screen and thearrangement determination rule data.

As described above, the command information arranging section 68 mayhave control over whether or not to arrange the command information CIin accordance with the display content of the screen. In this case, ifthere is the voice command data representing the voice received by thevoice receiving section 56, the process executing section 64 may executethe process associated with the voice command data regardless of whetheror not the corresponding command information CI is arranged. The commandinformation arranging section 68 may also have control over whether ornot to arrange, depending on the display content of the screen, each ofthe pieces of command information CI corresponding to a plurality ofvoice command data values. In this case, if the voice received by thevoice receiving section 56 represents one of the pieces of commandinformation CI, the process corresponding to the command indicated bythat piece of command information CI may be executed.

The command information arranging section 68 may hide a screen area ofthe display content varying in size with the display content of thescreen and arrange the command information CI in that area, as explainedabove. When the play screen 42 is displayed, the command informationarranging section 68 may hide a screen area of the display contentsmaller than when the home screen 30 is displayed and arrange thecommand information CI in that area.

The screen generating section 70 generates display screens such as thehome screen 30 and the play screen 42. The screen generating section 70in this embodiment generates the screen at a predetermined frame rate.The screen generating section 70 generates the screen on which thecommand information CI is arranged as determined by the commandinformation arranging section 68. When the option identifying section 60has identified the option of interest and the alternative option, thescreen generating section 70 generates the home screen 30 on which theoption of interest is highlighted and the alternative option informationAI indicating the name corresponding to the alternative option isarranged.

The command managing section 72 updates the command management data inthe command management data storing section 52 in accordance with theprocess executed by the process executing section 64 and the screengenerated by the screen generating section 70 for example.

The display controlling section 74 outputs to the display unit 14 thedata indicating the screen generated by the screen generating section70. Every time the screen generating section 70 generates a screen atthe predetermined frame rate, the display controlling section 74 in thisembodiment outputs to the display unit 14 the data indicating thescreen. In turn, the display unit 14 displays the screen correspondingto the data. In this manner, this embodiment causes the display unit 14to display the screen at the predetermined frame rate.

When the option identifying section 60 has identified the option ofinterest and the alternative option, the display controlling section 74in this embodiment causes two kinds of information to be displayed, forexample: information indicating that the option of interest is beingselected, and information representing the voice for identifying thealternative option as the option of interest by the option identifyingsection 60 in response to receipt by the voice receiving section 56.Specifically, the display controlling section 74 causes display of theinformation indicating the currently selected option of interest byhaving the option of interest displayed larger than the other options.Also, the display controlling section 74 causes display of alternativeoption information AI indicating the name corresponding to thealternative option.

When a specific voice command such as the magic word is recognizedduring display of a first screen, the display controlling section 74causes display of a first menu including at least one voice command.When the voice command is recognized during display of a second screen,the display controlling section 74 causes display of a second menuincluding at least one voice command. In this embodiment, the firstscreen corresponds to the home screen 30 for example, and the secondscreen corresponds to the play screen 42 or some other screen generatedby the currently executed application program for example. The firstmenu corresponds to the command information CI arranged on the homescreen 30 for example, and the second menu corresponds to the commandinformation CI arranged on the play screen 42 for example.Alternatively, the first screen may be a system menu screen thatdisplays a system menu.

In this embodiment, the first menu and the second menu display theircommand information CI at different positions, as described above. Thesecond menu may be a subset of the first menu. For example, the commandinformation CI shown on the play screen 42 in FIG. 16 is a subset of thecommand information CI shown on the home screen 30 in FIG. 14. The firstor the second menu may include the command for capturing the displaycontent of the screen as mentioned above.

Described below in reference to the flowchart in FIG. 21 is a typicalsequence of steps performed by the information processing device 12 inthis embodiment, the sequence being triggered by identification of atleast one voice command data value on the basis of the voice received bythe voice command identifying section 58.

When the voice command identifying section 58 identifies voice commanddata, the option identifying section 60 determines in reference to thecommand management data whether or not the voice command data has voicecommand data values set in duplicate (S101). If the voice command datais determined to have voice command data values set in duplicate (S101:Y), the option identifying section 60 identifies the option of interestand the alternative option in accordance with predetermined rules(S102). A typical sequence of the process in S102 will be explainedlater with reference to FIG. 22. If the voice command data is determinednot to have voice command values set in duplicate (S101: N), or if theoptions are identified in the process in S102, the command identifyingsection 62 identifies the command corresponding to the process to beexecuted (S103). The process executing section 64 then executes theprocess corresponding to the command identified in the process in S103(S104).

The command information arranging section 68 determines the position,size, and content of the voice input guide image 38 on the screengenerated as a result of the process in S104 in which the command hasbeen executed (S105). The screen generating section 70 generates adisplay screen (S106) on the basis of the result of command execution inthe process in S104 and of the position, size, and content of the voiceinput guide image 38 determined in the process in S105. The commandmanaging section 72 updates the command management data in the commandmanagement data storing section 52 (S107) on the basis of the executionresult in the process in S104 and the screen generated in the process inS106. The display controlling section 74 outputs to the display unit 14the data indicating the screen generated in the process in S107 (S108).This completes the processing of this example.

Described below with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 22 is a typicalsequence of the above-mentioned process in S102.

The option identifying section 60 first identifies the programassociated with each of the voice command data values set in duplicate(S201). At this time, the option identifying section 60 may identify,for example, the programs corresponding to the program icon images 32shown to be selectable as the option of interest and the alternativeoption out of the process content data in the command management datalisted in FIG. 10. The option identifying section 60 then identifiesattribute values (S202) associated with each of the programs identifiedin the process in S201. For example, in the processing example, the lastplay date and time data of each program is identified in the programmanagement data.

On the basis of the attribute values identified in the process in S202,the option identifying section 60 identifies the program icon images 32constituting the option of interest and the alternative option (S203).This completes the processing of this example. In this case, the programicon image 32 corresponding to the program having the latest executiontiming is identified as the option of interest, and the program iconimage 32 corresponding to the program having the second latest executiontiming is identified as the alternative option, as discussed above forexample.

After the option of interest and the alternative option have beenidentified as described above, the screen generating section 70 in theprocess in S106 generates the home screen 30 on which the option ofinterest is highlighted and the alternative option information AIindicating the name corresponding to the alternative option is arranged.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

For example, the information processing device 12 may be a handheldvideo game machine equipped with the camera 16 a and microphone 16 b.Alternatively, the information processing device 12 may be a personalcomputer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone. The roles played by theinformation processing device 12, display unit 14, and camera/microphoneunit 16 are not limited to those discussed above. As a furtheralternative, the information processing device 12 may be constituted bya plurality of housings.

The specific character strings in the foregoing description and those inthe accompanying drawings are only examples and are not limitative ofthe present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An entertainment device comprising: a voicereceiving section configured to receive plurality of voice inputs from auser; a command information arranging section configured such that whenthe voice input represents a prescribed command, the command informationarranging section arranges a listing of a plurality of available voicecommands at a position on a screen in accordance with a display contentof the screen, wherein, when the voice receiving section detects thatthe voice input from the user corresponds to a first voice command fromthe plurality of available voice commands, a process is executedaccording to the first voice command; and a process executing sectionconfigured to execute the process corresponding to the first voicecommand, wherein the command information arranging section has controlover whether or not to arrange the listing of the plurality of availablevoice commands in accordance with the display content of the screen, andregardless of whether or not the available voice command correspondingto the first voice command is displayed, the process executing sectionexecutes the process when the voice input voice received by the voicereceiving section represents the first voice command.
 2. Theentertainment device according to claim 1, wherein the listing is onlydisplayed after the prescribed command is received.
 3. The entertainmentdevice according to claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of availablevoice commands represents a for capturing a current screenshot of thedisplay content of the screen.
 4. The entertainment device according toclaim 1, wherein the command information arranging section hides ascreen area of the display content varying in size depending on thedisplay content of the screen and arranges the listing of the pluralityof available voice commands in the screen area.
 5. The entertainmentdevice according to claim 1, wherein, when a game play screen isdisplayed, the command information arranging section hides a screen areaof a display content smaller than when a screen for selecting the gameto play is displayed, and arranges the listing of the plurality ofavailable voice commands in the screen area.
 6. A display control methodcomprising: receiving a plurality of voice inputs from a user; when thevoice input represents a prescribed command, arranging a listing of aplurality of available voice commands at a position on a screen inaccordance with a display content of the screen, wherein, when voiceinput from the user corresponds to a first voice command from theplurality of available voice commands, a process is executed accordingto the first voice command; and wherein the listing of the plurality ofavailable voice commands is arranged in accordance with the displaycontent of the screen, and regardless of whether or not the availablevoice command corresponding to the first voice command is displayed, theprocess corresponding to the first voice command is executed.
 7. Anon-transitory computer-readable information storage medium which storesa program for a computer, the program including: receiving a pluralityof voice inputs from a user; when the voice input represents aprescribed command, arranging a listing of a plurality of availablevoice commands at a position on a screen in accordance with a displaycontent of the screen, wherein, when voice input from the usercorresponds to a first voice command from the plurality of availablevoice commands, a process is executed according to the first voicecommand; and wherein the listing of the plurality of available voicecommands is arranged in accordance with the display content of thescreen, and regardless of whether or not the available voice commandcorresponding to the first voice command is displayed, the processcorresponding to the first voice command is executed.